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A review by sarahed
The Anatalian Soldier by Rebecca Mikkelson
5.0
This book is set in a fictional world, so technically fantasy, but no magic or supernatural elements, so in style its closer to historical ficiton.
Liam is a young man keen to prove himself by joining the army. At first he gets on well, but of course things go horribly wrong after he discovers a traitorous plot. Margaret is a young lady whose family is 'new money' - she's trying to find her way in the tricky world of court etiquette. Things only get worse when her father falls ill. These young people cross paths at various points in their life but this first book in the series is very much about the incidents defining their individual coming of ages rather than their interactions. Their relationship promises to develop a lot more in the next book in the series.
Liam is a likeable character, who wants to make his way in the world, and is forced onto an unpleasant path. Margaret is both likeable and sympathetic, dealing with nasty characters at court and struggling to remain independent and to be able to take care of herself despite her wealth - she doesn't want to put her trust in her family's money or in other people. Both characters start off naive and develop an understanding of the way of the world, through unfortunate circumstances.
By the end of the book, I am rooting for both characters, who are making their best ways forward against adversity, and have both grown considerably, and cannot wait to see how they interact when their paths collide. The first book will lead straight into the second book, and ends with some tension to be resolved.
A recommended read for anyone who enjoys non-magical fantasy or historical fiction.
Liam is a young man keen to prove himself by joining the army. At first he gets on well, but of course things go horribly wrong after he discovers a traitorous plot. Margaret is a young lady whose family is 'new money' - she's trying to find her way in the tricky world of court etiquette. Things only get worse when her father falls ill. These young people cross paths at various points in their life but this first book in the series is very much about the incidents defining their individual coming of ages rather than their interactions. Their relationship promises to develop a lot more in the next book in the series.
Liam is a likeable character, who wants to make his way in the world, and is forced onto an unpleasant path. Margaret is both likeable and sympathetic, dealing with nasty characters at court and struggling to remain independent and to be able to take care of herself despite her wealth - she doesn't want to put her trust in her family's money or in other people. Both characters start off naive and develop an understanding of the way of the world, through unfortunate circumstances.
By the end of the book, I am rooting for both characters, who are making their best ways forward against adversity, and have both grown considerably, and cannot wait to see how they interact when their paths collide. The first book will lead straight into the second book, and ends with some tension to be resolved.
A recommended read for anyone who enjoys non-magical fantasy or historical fiction.